Multi agent consensus resolution &amp; re-planning

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for collaborative decision-making in medicine. The systems can employ a distributed record-keeping and verification system to solicit suggested modifications to an initial healthcare regime from interested healthcare workers. The systems can aggregate the suggested modifications and use a consensus algorithm to determine the most appropriate modification.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/721,048 filed Sep. 29, 2017, the complete disclosure of which isexpressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND

In embodiments, the technical field of the invention is methods andsystems for collaborative decision-making in medicine.

In the field of modern medicine, most interactions involve at leastthree entities—the patient, the health worker, and an electronic medicalrecords platform. A goal of the patient is to obtain a medical serviceor medical advice from the health worker in order to appropriatelyaddress a current medical problem, or to avoid a potential medicalproblem. A goal of the health worker is to accurately understand theneeds of the patient, and to appropriately address those needs with aservice or advice. The platform is present, in part, to provide amedical history of the patient to the health worker, and to ensure thatrecords of the interaction are maintained for future reference. Often,an interaction between patient and health worker results indetermination of a treatment regime that is entered into the platformfor digital storage and communication.

The determination of a treatment regime is not, however, the end of theprocess. In many cases the patient may wish to obtain a second opinion,or the health worker may wish to obtain input from other health workerson the contextualized appropriateness of the prescribed regime. Suchreview of the originally prescribed treatment regime is often desirable,from a policy perspective, because it may result in an improvedtreatment regime and will also serve to spread information within themedical community. In resource-constrained regions (e.g., parts of thedeveloping world, etc.), however, many challenges are present thatinhibits this process. For example, seeking 2^(nd) medical opinions inresource-constrained regions is prohibitive due to high cost, lowdiversity in skills among local health professionals, and lack ofsuitable communications with non-local expertise. In addition to thechallenges, health workers with only basic medical knowledge andtraining (such as may be found in resource-constrained regions) oftenneed more advanced support (e.g., doctor- and specialist-levelassistance) on prescribing and refining treatment regimes due to lack ofin depth knowledge in treating disease and other medical issues.Finally, a lack of efficient medical records keeping and tracking ofhealth worker interventions may hinder the achievements of these goals,especially in resource-constrained regions.

For at least the above reasons, an improved system for obtaining inputand consensus on medical treatment regimes is desirable.

SUMMARY

In aspects, the invention is a system to seek and revise medicalopinions on a given health case. The system records and manages feedbackfrom health workers. The system crawls medical journals and/or existingguidelines and extracts information pertinent to the case. The systemidentifies suitable medical doctors on the network to flag for a 2ndopinion. Doctor choice is determined by:

Patient Preferences (e.g., Doctors in a patient's network); Area ofexpertise; Experience (e.g., number of years practicing and seniority infield); and efficacy: (e.g., doctor's previous success rate in achievinggoal through recommendations e.g. hypertension management). The systemaggregates 2^(nd) opinions and resolves the responses and takes anamelioration action (e.g. proposing a new medication regime).

In an aspect is a method and system for resolving disagreement amongexperts for a medication regime, allowing consensus resolution andre-planning of the medication regime. The method involves optimizingdoctors' consensus on a medication regime.

In an aspect is a method of optimizing a healthcare regime, the methodcomprising: receiving, by a first user device, a healthcare regimecomprising a set of healthcare tokens representative of a set ofproposed healthcare actions pertaining to a healthcare user, theproposed healthcare actions proposed by an authoring healthcare worker;obtaining, by the first user device, a digital signature of theauthoring healthcare worker; obtaining, by the first user device, ahistorical block identifier from a healthcare blockchain, the healthcareblockchain representative of healthcare actions taken with respect tothe healthcare user, wherein the first user device is one of a pluralityof networked devices, each device in the plurality of networked devicesmaintaining an identical copy of the healthcare blockchain; calculating,by the first user device, a healthcare regime block for the healthcareregime as a function of one or more of the following parameters: the setof healthcare tokens, the digital signature, and the historical blockidentifier; causing the healthcare blockchain to be updated with thehealthcare regime block; receiving, by an user device selected from thefirst user device and a second user device, at least one proposedmodified healthcare token, the at least one proposed modified healthcaretoken representing at least one modified proposed healthcare actionpertaining to the healthcare regime; obtaining, by the user device, adigital signature of an authorized healthcare worker responsible for theat least one proposed modified healthcare action; determining apreference factor for the at least one proposed modified healthcareaction; calculating, by the user device, a modified healthcare regimeblock for the healthcare regime as a function of one or more of thefollowing parameters: the at least one proposed modified healthcaretoken, the digital signature of the authorized healthcare worker, andthe preference factor; causing the healthcare blockchain to be updatedwith the modified healthcare regime block; and automatically generatinga message comprising a healthcare action based on the healthcareblockchain, and transmitting the message via a distributed network to auser account associated with the authoring healthcare worker, whereinthe message alters a user interface to display the healthcare action. Inembodiments:

causing the healthcare blockchain to be updated with the healthcareregime block comprises transmitting via a distributed network thehealthcare regime block to the plurality of networked devices;

the healthcare regime block for the healthcare regime is a function ofat least the parameters mentioned above (i.e., the set of healthcaretokens, the digital signature, and the historical block identifier);

the modified healthcare regime block for the healthcare regime iscalculated as a function of at least the parameters mentioned above(i.e., the at least one proposed modified healthcare token, the digitalsignature of the authorized healthcare worker, and the preferencefactor);

further comprising receiving a plurality of proposed modified healthcaretokens, the plurality of proposed modified healthcare tokensrepresenting a plurality of modified proposed healthcare actionspertaining to the healthcare regime;

further comprising: receiving a plurality of proposed modifiedhealthcare tokens, the plurality of proposed modified healthcare tokensrepresenting a plurality of modified proposed healthcare actionspertaining to the healthcare regime; calculating a plurality of modifiedhealthcare regime blocks for the healthcare regime, one modifiedhealthcare regime block for each of the plurality of proposed modifiedhealthcare tokens received; and causing the healthcare blockchain to beupdated with the plurality of modified healthcare regime blocks;

further comprising applying a consensus algorithm to select a mosteffective modified healthcare regime block from the plurality ofmodified healthcare regime blocks;

further comprising automatically generating a message comprising aprescription for a medication, the medication based on the selected mosteffective modified healthcare regime block, and transmitting the messageto a user account associated with the authoring healthcare worker forapproval by the authoring healthcare worker, wherein approval by theauthoring healthcare worker automatically transmits the prescription toa prescription filling system;

further comprising automatically generating a message comprising ahealthcare action based on the selected most effective modifiedhealthcare regime block, and transmitting the message via a distributednetwork to a patient account associated with the healthcare user;

further comprising obtaining an consensus token indicative of anoptimization of the healthcare actions and based on the set ofhealthcare tokens;

wherein the preference factor comprises an experience factor, theexperience factor calculated as a function of at least one of thefollowing parameters: an experience of the authorized healthcare worker,an area of expertise of the authorized healthcare worker, and a successrate of the authorized healthcare worker;

the preference factor comprises a compliance factor calculated fromaggregated historical patient compliance data pertaining to the at leastone proposed modified healthcare action;

the healthcare blockchain further comprises a public key associated withthe authoring healthcare worker, the public key operative to enable eachdevice in the plurality of networked devices to check the authenticityof the healthcare regime block;

the healthcare blockchain further comprises a public key associated withthe authorized healthcare worker, the public key operative to enableeach device in the plurality of networked devices to check theauthenticity of the modified healthcare regime block;

causing the healthcare blockchain to be updated with the healthcareregime block comprises transmitting via a distributed network thehealthcare regime block to the plurality of networked devices, andwherein the plurality of networked devices are suitable for use by aplurality of authorized healthcare workers;

the generated message comprising a healthcare action is automaticallytransmitted to the user account associated with the authoring healthcareworker upon generation of a threshold of modified healthcare regimeblocks within the healthcare blockchain;

the altering of a user interface to display the healthcare action occursautomatically when a user device associated with the authoringhealthcare worker receives the generated message comprising a healthcareaction, and wherein the altering includes one or more actionsautomatically implemented, the one or more actions selected from:display of a visual alert in a GUI; production of an audible alert;modification of a screen view in a GUI; modification of a menu in a GUI;and modification of text in a healthcare user file; and

the preference factor comprises aggregated historical patient efficacydata pertaining to the at least one proposed modified healthcare action.

In an aspect is a system for optimizing a healthcare regime, the systemcomprising one or more computers of a plurality of computers coupled toa network, the one or more computers comprising one or more computerprocessors coupled to a memory, the memory comprising instructionsexecutable by the one or more computer processors to at least: receivehealthcare regime tokens corresponding to a set of proposed healthcareactions, the set of proposed healthcare actions corresponding to ahealthcare user associated with a healthcare blockchain; receive adigital signature of an authoring healthcare worker, the authoringhealthcare worker responsible for the plurality of proposed healthcareactions; generate a first healthcare regime block comprising one or moreof the set of proposed healthcare actions, the digital signature, and ahash of at least a portion of a most recent block of the healthcareblockchain; and transmit the first healthcare regime block to one ormore other computers of the plurality of computers on the network,wherein the one or more other computers of the plurality of computers onthe network is configured to determine acceptance of the firsthealthcare regime block and to append the first healthcare regime blockto the healthcare blockchain of the healthcare user. In embodiments:

the instructions are executable by the one or more computer processorsto: receive healthcare regime tokens corresponding to a set of proposedmodified healthcare actions, the set of proposed modified healthcareactions corresponding to the healthcare user; receive a digitalsignature of an authorized healthcare worker, the authorized healthcareworker responsible for the set of proposed modified healthcare actions;generate a second healthcare regime block comprising one or more of theset of proposed modified healthcare actions, the digital signature ofthe authorized healthcare worker, and a hash of at least a portion of amost recent block of the healthcare blockchain; and transmit the secondhealthcare regime block to one or more other computers of the pluralityof computers on the network, wherein the one or more other computers ofthe plurality of computers on the network is configured to determineacceptance of the second healthcare regime block and to append thesecond healthcare regime block to the healthcare blockchain of thehealthcare user;

the instructions are executable by the one or more computer processorsto compare the first healthcare regime block against the secondhealthcare regime block and determine a preference factor for the secondhealthcare regime block;

the instructions are executable by the one or more computer processorsto compare the first healthcare regime block against the secondhealthcare regime block and determine a preference factor for the secondhealthcare regime block, wherein the comparison accounts for one or moreof the following parameters: an experience of the authorized healthcareworker, an area of expertise of the authorized healthcare worker, and asuccess rate of the authorized healthcare worker;

the instructions are executable by the one or more computer processorsto: receive at least two proposed modified healthcare actionscorresponding to the healthcare user; receive at least two digitalsignatures corresponding to at least two authorized healthcare workers,the at least two authorized healthcare workers responsible for the atleast two proposed modified healthcare actions; generate at least twohealthcare regime blocks, each of the at least two healthcare regimeblocks corresponding to one of the at least two proposed modifiedhealthcare actions; updating the healthcare blockchain with the at leasttwo healthcare regime blocks; compare the at least two healthcare regimeblocks to determine a preference factor, wherein the preference factorindicates a preferable block of the at least two healthcare regimeblocks; and communicate a message to a user account associated with theauthoring healthcare worker, the message comprising the preferencefactor and the preferable block; and

the message further comprises instructions configured to: automaticallyinitiate a prescription medication filling system; automaticallyinitiate a medical device ordering system; or automatically modify auser device associated with the healthcare user to implement ahealthcare action with a corresponding treatment schedule.

In an aspect is a method for maintaining healthcare records, the methodcomprising: maintaining a secure chain of healthcare blocks at a givencomputing node, wherein the given computing node is part of a set ofcomputing nodes in a distributed network of computing nodes wherein eachof the set of computing nodes maintains the secure chain of healthcareblocks, wherein the secure chain of healthcare blocks maintained at eachcomputing node comprises one or more healthcare blocks that respectivelyrepresent one or more healthcare actions associated with a healthcareuser, and wherein at least one of the healthcare blocks in the securechain of healthcare blocks represents at least one healthcare actiongenerated by an authoring healthcare worker associated with thehealthcare user; adding at least one healthcare block to the securechain of healthcare blocks maintained at the given computing node inresponse to receiving a proposed modified healthcare action; determininga preference factor for the proposed modified healthcare action;transmitting a message comprising the preference factor and the proposedmodified healthcare action to a user account associated with theauthoring healthcare worker; and wherein the maintaining, adding, anddetermining steps are implemented via at least one processor operativelycoupled to a memory associated with the given computing node. Inembodiments:

the message is configured to alter a user interface to automaticallydisplay the proposed modified healthcare action; and

the proposed modified healthcare action is received from an authorizedhealthcare worker, and wherein the preference factor is determined basedon one or more of the following parameters: an experience of theauthorized healthcare worker, an area of expertise of the authorizedhealthcare worker, and a success rate of the authorized healthcareworker (or on all such factors, or any combination thereof).

In an aspect is a method of optimizing a healthcare regime, the methodcomprising: receiving a healthcare regime comprising a set of healthcaretokens representative of a set of proposed healthcare actions pertainingto a healthcare user, the proposed healthcare actions proposed by anauthoring healthcare worker; obtaining a digital signature of theauthoring healthcare worker; obtaining a historical block identifierfrom a healthcare blockchain, the healthcare blockchain representativeof healthcare actions taken with respect to the healthcare user;calculating a healthcare regime block for the healthcare regime as afunction of one or more of the following parameters: the set ofhealthcare tokens, the digital signature, and the historical blockidentifier; causing the healthcare blockchain to be updated with thehealthcare regime block; receiving at least one proposed modifiedhealthcare token, the at least one proposed modified healthcare tokenrepresenting at least one modified proposed healthcare action pertainingto the healthcare regime; obtaining a digital signature of an authorizedhealthcare worker responsible for the at least one proposed modifiedhealthcare action; determining a preference factor for the at least oneproposed modified healthcare action; calculating a modified healthcareregime block for the healthcare regime as a function of one or more ofthe following parameters: the at least one proposed modified healthcaretoken, the digital signature of the authorized healthcare worker, andthe preference factor; causing the healthcare blockchain to be updatedwith the modified healthcare regime block; and automatically generatinga message comprising a healthcare action based on the healthcareblockchain, and transmitting the message via a distributed network to auser account associated with the authoring healthcare worker, whereinthe message alters a user interface to display the healthcare action.Each of the steps above may be carried out from/by appropriate devicesindependently selected from user devices, central servers, and the like.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent to one ofskill in the art from the description provided herein, including theexamples and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a schematic for a system including an interfaceaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 provides a schematic for an embodiment involving collecting data,processing the data, and transmitting an output according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 provides a schematic for an example system layer and the detailsof components therein according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 provide a schematic for sample algorithm stepsinvolved in processing a new medication regime, adding transactions to alist of transactions, and creating a new optimal medication regimeaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 provides a sample search hierarchy according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 8 provides a sample architecture of a blockchain implementation,including various layers of the system, according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In aspects are devices configured to carry out the methods describedherein. The devices may comprise a processor and a memory coupled to theprocessor, the memory configured to store program instructions forinstructing the processor to carry out the method. Further details areprovided herein. It will be appreciated, however, that certaincomponents of such devices, and further certain steps of the associatedmethods, may be omitted from this disclosure for the sake of brevity.The omitted components and steps, however, are merely those that areroutinely used in the art and would be easily determined and implementedby those of ordinary skill in the art using nothing more than routineexperimentation, the general state of the art, and the disclosureherein. Throughout this specification, where hardware is described, itwill be assumed that the devices and methods employing such hardware aresuitably equipped with necessary software (including any firmware) toensure that the devices/methods are fit for the described purpose. Wherea function of a device is mentioned, it will be assumed that suitablehardware/software is present to enable the device to operate in such afunction (e.g., where a device is in communication with a distributednetwork, the device comprises a communications module enabling thedevice to carry out such communications).

In an aspect is a method of optimizing a healthcare regime. Throughoutthis disclosure, a healthcare “regime” refers to a method of treating apatient wherein the patient suffers from a medical condition and is inneed of treatment, or is likely to suffer from a medical condition, oris seeking prophylactic treatment, or is prescribed any of suchtreatments on recommendation by a health worker. Throughout thisdisclosure, the term “healthcare worker” is used to describe a varietyof workers with an ability to prescribe a healthcare regime. Since ahealthcare regime may or may not involve a prescription drug, and sincedifferent locations may classify medications differently (e.g., as overthe counter or as prescription only), a healthcare worker may or may notbe certified for prescribing medications. Furthermore a healthcareworker may be trained in Western-style medicine or any other branch ofmedicine, including homeopathy and other styles of medicine. Examples ofhealthcare workers include doctors, nurses (e.g., registered nurses,nurse practitioners, etc.), dentists, psychologists, psychiatrists,homeopathic doctors, doctors of traditional medicine, veterinarians, andthe like.

In embodiments the regime may involve administration of a medication(herein also abbreviated “med”). The medication may be of anyvariety/classification, including prescription or over-the-counter(OTC), generic or brand name, synthetic or naturally occurring,combination drugs, biologic drugs, on-patent or off-patent, vitamins,supplements, analgesics, anti-bacterials, anti-microbials, anti-fungals,anti-retrovirals, or the like. The medication may be intended foradministration in combination with other medications, eitheradministered concurrently (co-administered) or separately. Themedication may be administered via any appropriate mode, includingintravenously, orally, topically, via inhalation, or the like. Themedication may be intended for any suitable regimen and dosage, such ashourly, daily, weekly or the like. Many of the above-mentioned factors(dosage, mode of administration, generic v. brand name, etc.) may be thesubject of optimization and regime revision described herein.

The regimes described herein are relevant to and intended for ahealthcare user. Throughout this disclosure, the “healthcare user” isintended to include any individual or entity desiring, seeking, in needof, deemed in need of, or potentially in need of treatment via a regimeas described herein. The user may desire treatment for the purpose ofaddressing an existing medical condition or for the prophylactic purposeof preventing the development of a future medical condition. Patients ina medical facility or otherwise using a medical resource are examples ofhealthcare users. The user may be a human or a non-human, examples ofthe latter including domesticated animals, farm animals, captivenon-domesticated animals, and wild animals (i.e., an animal living inthe wild or an approximation thereof). The user may be an “entity” suchas an automated system for providing treatment regimes for a givendiagnosis.

The systems described herein may be deployed anywhere they are neededand appropriate (e.g., compliant with local laws, etc.). In embodimentsthe systems are particularly suitable for resource-constrained regions(e.g., developing countries, rural areas, or anywhere that access tohealthcare technology and expertise is relatively limited or otherwiseinadequate). The implementation of a system described herein, typically,requires communication infrastructure such as a cellular (mobiletelephony) network, a main electrical grid, etc., although inembodiments one or more of such necessities may be improvised assuitable (e.g., off-grid electricity sources, etc.).

The healthcare regimes described herein are stored digitally in a systemaccording to the disclosure. The system, typically although notnecessarily, comprises a plurality of user devices and optionally one ormore server(s), all of which are in constant or in regular communicationvia a distributed network such as a cellular network (e.g., via 3G orsome other data-enabled protocol), a physical network such as a localarea network, or via some other networking protocol such as Bluetooth,WiFi, or the like. The user device may be a mobile device (e.g., amobile phone, tablet, laptop, or other mobile device) or a stationarydevice such as a desktop computer. The user device may be for use by ahealthcare user such as a patient, or may be for use by a healthcareworker. The system will be configured so as to know the identity of theuser devices on the network, thereby allowing customized communicationsto be sent to each device. Throughout this disclosure from time to time,it may be stated that a user device performs a calculation, although itwill be understood that this language is used for the sake ofconvenience and is meant to encompass instances where the calculationsare actually performed by another device (e.g., an optional server) butthat the result is the same. For example, calculation of a new block ina healthcare blockchain may be carried out by a user device, which userdevice then stores the new block locally, or such calculation may becarried out by a remote server with the resulting block sent back to theuser device for local storage on the blockchain.

The systems and methods herein involve the determination of a healthcareregime and its subsequent modification by consensus among healthcareworkers. Selected attributes to a healthcare regime are presented belowin tabular format. Such data represents a healthcare regime and, inembodiments, a single entry in a database of healthcare regimes.

Field Content Unique identifier Patient identifier Measurements Patienthistory Current medication(s) Test results Diagnosis Medicationidentifier Medication/drug Family Brand Generic Dose AdministrationFrequency Status Can be modified? Consensus threshold Owner identifierModified Regime 1 Drug Family Brand Generic Dose AdministrationFrequency Modified Regime 2 Drug Family Brand Generic DoseAdministration FrequencyAs described herein, the data such as those shown in the table above maybe implemented in a database that enables a single patient to containmultiple healthcare regimes, each of which may be the subject ofconsensus optimization as described. Each of the fields in a databaseentry for a healthcare regime may be referred to as a healthcare “token”throughout this disclosure. Thus a token may represent a healthcareaction such as the identity, classification, dose, regimen, or mode ofadministration of a medication, proposed for administration to thehealthcare user. A suitable database is typically implemented (stored,updated, etc.) on a central server accessible to devices via adistributed network, although other methods of implementation may besuitable. For example, implementation via a cloud computing systemarchitecture or via localized devices may be suitable in someenvironments.

The database described herein, comprising healthcare regimes forhealthcare users, may be implemented, in embodiments, via a blockchainarchitecture. Such architecture comprises a distributed and encryptedledger and is created and maintained as described herein, which, alongwith the general knowledge of blockchain technology, is sufficientlydescribed for an artisan to implement. In embodiments, the blockchainimplementation of the database is referred to herein as a healthcareblockchain. The healthcare blockchain comprises one or more healthcareregimes for one or more healthcare users. Further details for thestructure of the healthcare blockchain are provided herein.

Selected functions performed by the system and available to a healthcareworker include: create new healthcare regime; view proposed healthcareregimes in his/her network or domain of expertise; propose amodification to a healthcare regime; and invoke consensus resolution onhis/her own proposed healthcare regime. These functions may be describedin more detail herein, and may be displayed via a user interface for ahealthcare worker using a device according to the disclosure. Forexample a desktop computer may provide a user interface allowing each ofthese functions. A mobile device such as a tablet or phone may offer asubset of the functions or may offer all of the functions.

A healthcare regime is initially created by a healthcare worker(referred to herein as the authoring healthcare worker) and may bereferred to herein as an initial healthcare regime or initial regime. Aninitial medication regime is a subset of initial healthcare regimesspecifically focusing on a medication, although all of the disclosureprovided herein pertaining to an initial medication regime is, where thecontext permits, intended also to be applicable to the broader set ofinitial healthcare regimes. The initial regime is created on a userdevice accessible to a healthcare worker, such as a desktop machine in ahospital or doctor's office, or a tablet used by the worker, or thelike. The initial regime includes, in embodiments, any combination ofthe information described in the following paragraphs.

The initial regime may comprise patient information. Such info mayinclude any or all of the following information: the patient's name(where included, this may become a “hidden” field after the initialcreation of the regime in order to guarantee patient confidentiality),age, weight, height, BMI, gender, ethnicity, or the like. The patientinformation may also comprise any or all of the following informationpertaining to the patient's prior medical history: prior diagnoses,prior treatment history, family medical history information, knownrecurring or on-going medical issues, known allergies, or the like.

The initial regime may comprise a list of symptoms (reported by thepatient, observed by the medical worker, or a combination thereof)and/or any other information used in the diagnosis by the healthcareworker. Such other information may include one or more laboratory testresults (e.g., test results from blood, urine, stool, etc.), one or moreradiological scans (e.g., X-ray, CAT scan, MRI scan, etc.), evaluationsfrom specialists or healthcare workers other than the worker creatingthe initial regime, video files, audio files, image files, or the like.

The initial regime may comprise a status field—this comprises, forexample: an identification (name, ID number, or other identifying data)of the healthcare worker responsible for creation of the initial regime(referred to herein as the authoring healthcare worker); the date andlocation upon/at which the initial regime was created; whether theinitial regime may be modified (and the identity or identities ofindividuals able to modify); and a consensus threshold in a formatconsistent with the algorithm used in the consensus method andconsistent with the disclosure herein.

The initial regime may comprise a medication identifier. The medicationidentifier includes a variety of information (e.g., selected from:standardized medication name; brand name v generic; manufacturer;medication family; intended dose; suggested mode of administration;suggested frequency/regimen; etc.) about a medication that the authoringhealthcare worker intends to prescribe to the healthcare user orotherwise intends to submit to the system described herein forevaluation and possible modification/re-planning.

The initial regime may comprise other information as needed or desired.The system may prompt the authoring healthcare worker to input any orall of the above information (as well as any other mandatory or optionalinformation), e.g., by providing appropriate fields for data entry. Aninteractive system is also contemplated by the invention, includinghaving visual/audible help tool to assist the authoring healthcareworker with suitable data entry. The system may, in embodiments, assigndefault values as appropriate or necessary, and may furtherauto-populate entries based on information obtained from alocally-stored resource or from standard reference Internet sites, orfrom other resources as appropriate.

The systems and methods may be configured to allow or require that theauthoring healthcare worker attach a signature (i.e., a digitalsignature including a scan of a physical signature) to an initialregime. This allows the system and other users of the system to know theidentity of the authoring healthcare worker and also to confirm thevalidity/authenticity of the initial regime. As described herein, adigital signature may also be used to encrypt data or to otherwisesecure data against unauthorized modification, deletion, etc., as wellas for verifying identity of users and/or data entered by a user. Thedigital signature of a healthcare worker may, for example, bestored/generated by the user device allocated to the healthcare workerupon request by that healthcare worker or upon request by thedevice/system (with approval by the healthcare worker). The systemsherein, therefore, are configured to “obtain” a digital signature from ahealthcare worker (wherein “obtaining” may involve, e.g., generation ofthe digital signature with approval by the healthcare worker).

In embodiments, the initial regime, once created, is stored in ahealthcare blockchain (also referred to herein, where the contextimplies, simply as a blockchain) as a collection of healthcare tokens,and such stored information is referred to as a healthcare regime block.The healthcare blockchain is implemented on the systems described hereinin order to provide an immutable and distributed record (i.e., achronicle or ledger, public ledger, private ledger, protected ledger,etc.) of healthcare regimes created and processed as described herein.For a given interaction between a healthcare user and healthcare worker,the initial regime is the first record pertaining to that interaction,and the subsequent actions (e.g., proposed modified healthcare regimesor individual tokens, resolved healthcare regimes, etc.) describedherein are added to the healthcare blockchain for that first record. Itwill be appreciated however that the healthcare blockchain may containrecords pertaining to prior interactions between the healthcare workerand the healthcare user, and/or may contain records pertaining to priorinteractions between the healthcare user and other healthcare workers.

In embodiments, in order to create/calculate the healthcare regimeblock, the system uses the set of healthcare tokens, the digitalsignature of the authoring healthcare worker, and an historical blockidentifier (or any subset of these, such as the healthcare tokens andthe digital signature). The historical block identifier isrepresentative of prior healthcare tokens (e.g., prior actions taken,prior data stored, etc.) pertaining to the healthcare user. Thehistorical block identifier may represent a link to the healthcareuser's healthcare blockchain, if one exists. The historical blockidentifier could comprise a hash value of a previous block header in thehealthcare blockchain, possibly the last block added to the healthcareblockchain. As is common in the field of blockchain technologies, thehash value incorporates all previously processed blocks. In such casesthe historical block identifier represents a link of continuity acrossall blocks in the chain. Where a healthcare user is new to the system, asystem administrator or a healthcare worker (or an automated processusing data input by the user) may create an initial record thatthereafter becomes the first historical block identifier, which issubsequently used in generating a healthcare regime block by ahealthcare worker. The initial record may comprise any suitableinformation such as identification information of the healthcare user.In embodiments, the initial record may, itself, be an initial regime.

Once an initial regime is created and stored in the healthcareblockchain as a healthcare regime block, the authoring healthcare worker(or another authorized user) may submit the regime for input from otherhealthcare workers and, ultimately, for consensus resolution of suchinput. Alternatively the system may be configured such that any newinitial healthcare regime (or selected initial healthcare regimes basedon a predetermined criteria) is automatically submitted for consensusresolution. The system may flag the submitted healthcare regime and/ornotify other healthcare workers (all workers known to the system, orselected workers based on a predetermined criteria such as area ofexpertise, location, etc.) that there is a new healthcare regime readyfor review and possible revision. Where the system is configured to flaghealthcare regimes for consensus review, the system may allow healthcareworkers to view all flagged regimes and submit revisions for regimes asdesired by the worker.

As with other blockchain architectures, each entry in the blockchain(including an initial regime) is distributed to all devices supportingthe blockchain. Each change to the blockchain is also distributed toeach of the devices supporting the blockchain, such that each device hasa complete version of the blockchain. Abnormalities/discrepancies can beidentified where the blockchain records of one device does not match theblockchain records of other devices in the network.

The initial regime (also referred to herein as a first regime, and theentry in the healthcare blockchain referred to herein as the firstregime block), once placed in the blockchain, will be subjected toreview by healthcare workers other than the authoring healthcare worker.The system may be selective in allowing only specifically authorized(based on any criteria, or based on invitation from the authoringhealthcare worker, or invitation of another authorized worker, etc.)healthcare workers to view the initial regime and/or to submit proposedamended regimes. Alternatively, the system may be non-selective,allowing any healthcare worker with access to the healthcare blockchainto view the initial regime and/or to submit proposed amended regimes. Inthis regard, and as described herein, each healthcare worker grantedaccess to the healthcare blockchain may be given a user account, andthat user account includes a field indicating the nature of thataccess—e.g., the extent to which the worker is granted access to thevarious records in the blockchain. The worker's user account may alsoinclude information about the expertise of the worker, their location,and the like.

An authorized healthcare worker, after reviewing an initial healthcareregime, may decide to submit a proposed modification to the initialhealthcare regime. In embodiments, a modification may take the form of aproposed modified healthcare token, or a plurality of proposed modifiedhealthcare tokens. Each modified healthcare token is a token pertainingto the initial healthcare regime (e.g., tokens representing data asdescribed herein, such as data selected from a medication, a medicationfamily, a regimen, a dose, and the like) although in some embodimentsthe proposed modified healthcare token may be a token that was omittedfrom the initial healthcare regime (e.g., where the authoring healthcareworker omitted to specify a dosage in the initial healthcare regime, theauthorized healthcare worker may submit a healthcare token representinga proposed dosage). Each of the proposed modified healthcare token(s)represents a proposed modified healthcare action pertaining to theinitial healthcare regime. In embodiments, the authorized healthcareworker may submit an entire proposed modified healthcare regime, whichis stored on the healthcare blockchain and may differ from the initialhealthcare regime in every token. This situation is a special case ofthe submission by the authorized healthcare worker of a modifiedhealthcare set of tokens, inasmuch as the set of tokens is the entireset of tokens that formed the healthcare regime (rather than one tokenor a subset of tokens). For example, an authorized healthcare worker maydetermine that every healthcare action proposed by the authoringhealthcare worker is non-ideal, and may propose an entirely new regime.

Each modified healthcare token or set of tokens (including an entiresubstitute healthcare regime) may be referred to herein as a secondhealthcare regime, and the entry in the blockchain referred to herein asa second healthcare regime block.

The modified healthcare token or set of tokens is the authorizedhealthcare worker's submission to the blockchain and the systems herein,and represents his/her input with respect to the initial healthcareregime. In order to submit this input, in embodiments the system mayrequire the authorized healthcare worker to append a digital signaturethereto, analogous to the signature required of the authoring healthcareworker in creating an initial healthcare regime. In embodiments, themodified healthcare token or set of tokens is used, along with one ormore other items, to create a modified healthcare regime block in thehealthcare blockchain. The one or more other items that may be so usedare selected from, for example: the digital signature of the authorizedhealthcare worker, a preference factor, and an updated historical blockidentifier. The digital signature is described above. The updatedhistorical block identifier is determined from the healthcare blockchainand may be, for example and analogously with the historical blockidentifier, the hash value of the previous block header in thehealthcare blockchain, and/or the last block added to the healthcareblockchain. For example, if the authoring healthcare worker is the firstto propose a modification to a healthcare regime, the updated historicalblock identifier may be based on the healthcare regime block.

The preference factor is a factor that is calculated based on a varietyof factors such as any one or more of the following: an experiencefactor personalized to the authorized healthcare worker; a compliancefactor pertaining to the modified healthcare token or set of tokens;aggregated historical (and optionally anonymized) patient efficacy datapertaining to the at least one proposed modified healthcare action; anda comparison factor. These are described in more detail below.

In embodiments, the experience factor is calculated as a function of atleast one of the following parameters: an experience level of theauthorized healthcare worker (i.e., the amount of experience of theworker in the context of the modified healthcare token, such as thenumber of times the worker has prescribed a specific medication); anarea of expertise of the authorized healthcare worker (e.g., whether (orhow often) the worker has diagnosed and treated a specific condition,whether the worker has attended specialized courses and programsrelevant to a specific condition or related conditions, whether theworker has published in peer-reviewed journals about the specificcondition or related conditions and whether such publications have beencited extensively, etc.); colleague ratings of the authorized healthcareworker (e.g., opinion data, survey data, interview data, etc. from otherhealthcare workers about the healthcare worker); and a success rate ofthe authorized healthcare worker (e.g., the percentage of patients underthe worker's care with the same or relevant condition that improved orwere cured within a predetermined period of time, etc.).

In embodiments, the compliance factor is a determined based on a varietyof elements pertaining to the extent to which the proposed modifiedhealthcare token(s) complies with medical norms, standardized methods inmedicine, legal or regulatory requirements, availability of a suggestedtreatment (medicine, procedure, etc.) in or near a physical location,and the like. The compliance factor, for example, can be a measure ofwhether proposed modified healthcare token is legally practicable and/orpractically feasible for a healthcare user located in a specific, knownlocation. The compliance factor can also or alternatively be a measureof the extent to which the medical profession has formally (orinformally) recognized a treatment as effective for a specific medicalcondition. For example, the compliance factor can be relatively lowerfor a treatment that is “off-label” or is considered experimental.

In embodiments, the preference factor is in whole or in part determinedby aggregated patient efficacy data. Such data can be anonymized or notanonymized, and can be sourced from publicly available resources orproprietary/confidential, or combinations thereof. Such data can bebased on animal models or human trials, or combinations thereof. Suchdata can be raw data or interpreted data, or combinations thereof. Suchdata can be specifically for the exact same medical procedure ormedication as the proposed modified healthcare token, or can be for adifferent but relevant procedure or medication (with an appropriatescaling factor, in the case of a different procedure/medication, basedon the amount of difference).

In embodiments, the preference factor is a function of a comparisonfactor that is determined by a comparison of a healthcare token withanother healthcare token. The comparison, typically, involves comparinga modified healthcare token with another modified healthcare token orwith a healthcare token from the initial regime, provided that thecompared tokens pertain to the same or comparable subject matter (e.g.,a family of drugs is compared with another family of drugs, or a dosageis compared with another dosage). The preference factor can involvecomparison of one set of multiple tokens with another set of multipletokens, again provided that the two sets of tokens pertain to the sameor comparable subject matter (e.g., a dose and regimen, in combination,can be compared with another dose and regimen, in combination). Thedetermined value of the comparison factor can be based on a variety offactors used for evaluating the comparison such as clinical data (orother experimental data, studies, anecdotes, etc.) pertaining to theefficacy of one token compared with another token.

Any or all of the above factors, which may be used to calculate thepreference factor of a proposed modification to a healthcare regime,pertain to a specific healthcare token or a combination of tokens, or toan entire initial healthcare regime or an entire proposed modifiedhealthcare regime. The specific token or combination of tokens may befrom the initial healthcare regime, or may be from the proposedmodification to the healthcare regime. For example, where the proposedmodification to the healthcare regime comprises a token that identifiesa proposed medication, the experience factor may be based on stored datapertaining to the experience that the authorized healthcare worker haswith that specific proposed medication. Also for example, where theinitial healthcare regime comprises a diagnosis of a specific medicalcondition, the experience factor may be based on stored data pertainingto the experience and success rate that the authorized healthcare workerhas with treating that medical condition. The stored data just mentionedmay be based on data obtained from the healthcare worker and/or may beinferred/obtained from medical records.

In embodiments, the proposed modified healthcare token(s) received fromthe authorized healthcare worker is/are packaged into a modifiedhealthcare regime block and stored in the blockchain. The system mayreceive a plurality of modified healthcare regime blocks from aplurality of authorized healthcare workers (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, or morethan 5 workers). The system may place a limit on the number of modifiedhealthcare regime blocks that are accepted for any given initial regime(e.g., not more than 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 modified healthcare regime blockswill be accepted), and/or may limit the time allotted for receivingmodified healthcare regime blocks (e.g., not more than 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, or14 days allowed for receipt), and/or may impose any other limitations onreceipt of the modified healthcare regime blocks as desired.

As mentioned herein, healthcare workers with access to the system willbe given a user account. In embodiments, the user account of theauthoring healthcare worker comprises a dashboard function that enableshim/her to view the status of their initial regime and request formodified healthcare regimes. Thus, the user's dashboard is automaticallyupdated when an authorized healthcare worker submits a modifiedhealthcare regime block (pertaining to that user's initial regime) tothe healthcare blockchain, such that the authoring healthcare worker canreadily determine how many modified healthcare regime blocks have beensubmitted (and, in embodiments, the identities of the submittingauthorized healthcare workers).

As mentioned herein, in embodiments each modified healthcare regimeblock comprises a preference factor. In embodiments, the system, or theauthoring healthcare worker, can use the preference factor or anycomponent thereof to determine the most desirable proposed modifiedhealthcare regime for replacing/modifying the initial regime. The systemcan also use the preference factor or any component thereof to rank thereceived proposed modified healthcare regimes, and the rankings can becommunicated to any user such as the authoring healthcare worker. Asdescribed herein, the preference factor may be used directly in theconsensus algorithm when evaluating the received proposed modifiedhealthcare regimes, and the preference factor can also be used as asecondary ranking factor in addition or in the alternative to theconsensus algorithm.

At any desired time, the authoring healthcare worker can request thatthe system apply a consensus algorithm to the modified healthcare regimeblocks received for an initial regime. In embodiments, the request canalternatively be made by another healthcare worker granted authorizationto make such a request. In embodiments, the request can be automaticallygenerated by the system in response to surpassing a predeterminedthreshold (e.g., a minimum number of received proposed modifiedhealthcare regimes, or a set time limit for receipt). In any of theseways, the system submits the received proposed modified healthcareregimes to a consensus algorithm. The consensus algorithm is anyalgorithm that takes as input the modified healthcare regime blocks (or,in embodiments, selected tokens from such blocks) as well as the initialregime block and determines a consensus healthcare regime block (or, inembodiments, consensus tokens form such blocks). In embodiments, thesystem/algorithm may be configured to select tokens from multiplemodified healthcare regime blocks (as well as the initial regime block)in order to build a consensus healthcare regime block that is anaggregate of other blocks. Any suitable consensus algorithm(s) now knownor later developed may be used. For example, the consensus algorithm mayselect a consensus block/token based on majority (or highest percentage,or unanimous, etc.) agreement across the various authorized healthcareworkers, as determined from the content of the modified healthcareblocks submitted by such workers. Alternatively, the consensus algorithmmay select a regime block because the author of the block is the mostrespected healthcare worker in the relevant field, and/or because theauthor of the block has a very high success rate of cure with theparticular medical condition (e.g., a rate above a threshold, such asgreater than or equal to 90, 95, or 99%). The consensus algorithm can beapplied to a healthcare regime as a whole, or can be applied to anyportion of a healthcare regime, include a specific token within ahealthcare regime. For example, where a healthcare regime pertains totreatment of a patient diagnosed with a specific condition, and theinitial healthcare regime suggests prescription of a specific medicationadministered daily by mouth (oral administration) at a specific dosage,the consensus algorithm can be applied to modified healthcare blocks asa whole (which may include therein suggestions for modifying each of themedication, the mode of administration, the dosage, and the regimen) orto any portion of the modified healthcare blocks (e.g., just to theregimen or just to the dosage).

Blockchain Structure

As mentioned herein, the systems and methods involve a healthcareblockchain. As with other databases implemented via blockchainarchitecture, the healthcare blockchain is a cryptographic, distributed,verifiable, shared, and immutable structure. The entire blockchainstructure is maintained on every node within the network implementingthe blockchain at all times. Data are encrypted using public/privatekeys. In addition to the healthcare regime blocks, the healthcareblockchain may also comprise parties (i.e., healthcare workers,healthcare users, etc.), keys used for encryption, and other items asnecessary and appropriate. Data stored into the blockchain are hashed(e.g., using a hash function from SHA-2 such as SHA-256).

Blocks in the healthcare blockchain may be encrypted. For example, aprivate key associated with an authoring healthcare worker may be usedto encrypt a healthcare regime block, and a private key associated withan authorized healthcare worker may be used to encrypt a modifiedhealthcare regime block. Other private keys associated with other usersstoring information on the blockchain may also be used. Public keyscorresponding to such users, and operative to check the authenticity ofthe healthcare regime block or modified healthcare regime block (orother data on the blockchain), may be stored in the healthcareblockchain so that any node in the network can carry out suchverification.

In embodiments, the system architecture for implementing the blockchaincan be represented with a layered nomenclature. An application layerimplements a user interface and allows users (healthcare workers andhealthcare users, e.g., plus administrators and other users asappropriate) to interact with the database. The user interface mayinclude a GUI or other user interface as desired, and may be suitablefor running on any conceivable device that may be used by a user. Theapplication layer is the most abstracted layer and, typically, the onlylayer with which the user will interact. On the other hand, the leastabstracted layer defines the format/structure of the blockchain, therules for validating the blockchain, and the protocol for adding newblocks to the ledger. This base layer, referred to herein as a ConsensusLayer, may involve a consensus algorithm in order to allow nodes todetermine which of multiple candidate blockchain ledgers is authentic(i.e., is the consensus ledger). Between the consensus layer and theapplication layer, there may be one or more layers (depending on theclassification and nomenclature scheme used). For example, an API layermay be present allowing an interface between the application and theimplementing nodes—this layer, for example, providing communication andaccess rules that determine the types of devices that may be used byusers. Also for example, a transport layer (also referred to as apropagation layer) may be present defining the communication systembetween nodes in the distributed ledger. Other components and layerdefinitions may be used as appropriate for implementing the blockchain.

Output

In embodiments, the output of the consensus algorithm is a consensushealthcare regime block, which consists of the tokens that are selectedby the consensus algorithm and comprise a consensus healthcare regime.The consensus healthcare regime may be completely different from theinitial healthcare regime, differing in every token, or may differ fromthe initial healthcare regime by only one or a selection of tokens(e.g., 2, 3, 4, or more than 4 tokens). The consensus healthcare regimeblock is stored on the blockchain and identified as such therein. Inembodiments the consensus algorithm may output a single token or asubset of tokens. In such embodiments the output does not form an entirehealthcare regime (i.e., it is more targeted and may simply indicatethat the initial healthcare regime is acceptable but for one or a smallsubset of tokens that are recommended for change). The output token(s)is/are stored on the blockchain as consensus token(s).

The output further comprises, in embodiments, a healthcare action (alsoreferred to herein as a “proposed modified healthcare action”) based onthe blockchain as modified by inclusion of the consensus healthcareregime block or consensus token(s). Recalling that a healthcare token asdescribed herein may represent a proposed healthcare action, the actionthen may be precisely the same as a consensus token (e.g., a tokenindicating dosage, which is self-evident in how to implement with thehealthcare user). Alternatively or in addition the action may be asequence of instructions based on one or more tokens (e.g.,administration of a first medication at a specific dosage/regimenfollowed by administration of a second medication at another specificdosage/regimen) identified by the consensus algorithm. The action may beautomatically generated by the system based on the consensus healthcareregime or token.

Once the consensus algorithm has selected a consensus healthcare regimeblock (or a consensus token), and stored the block (or consensus token)to the blockchain, and generated a healthcare action from such selectedconsensus information, the system notifies the authoring healthcareworker. The notification can take any suitable form. In embodiments, thenotification is via a message generated automatically by the system anddelivered via a distributed network (e.g., an SMS, or an email, or someother message system) to the user account (e.g., phone number, emailaddress, etc.) of the authoring healthcare worker. In such embodimentsthe message may simply indicate the presence in the blockchain of theconsensus block or token(s), but not contain any specific informationabout the consensus information. In embodiments the message may comprisethe contents of the consensus block or token(s), such that the authoringhealthcare worker immediately receives the consensus information and isnot required to login to his/her account on the system to view suchinformation. In embodiments the message is configured to alter a userinterface to display the message or a part thereof, including thecontents of the message (which may, for privacy purposes, be passwordprotected or otherwise protected against unauthorized viewing).

In embodiments, the message is configured to automatically initiate anaction in a system based on the determined consensus information(token(s) or modified healthcare regime block). For example, the messagemay comprise instructions configured to: automatically initiate aprescription medication filling system; automatically initiate a medicaldevice ordering system; or automatically modify a user device associatedwith the healthcare user to implement a healthcare action with acorresponding treatment schedule.

In embodiments, and particularly where regulations/laws require ahealthcare professional to initiate a medication prescription system tofill a prescription, the output may further comprise automaticallygenerating a message comprising a prescription for a medication, themedication based on the selected most effective modified healthcareregime block, and transmitting the message to a user account associatedwith the authoring healthcare worker for approval by the authoringhealthcare worker, wherein approval by the authoring healthcare workerautomatically transmits the prescription to a prescription fillingsystem. Other automated healthcare actions may also be initiated asoutput of the system, such as scheduling a medical test (e.g., an MRI, aCAT scan, or a blood test), or scheduling an appointment with aspecialist healthcare worker.

In embodiments the output further involves automatically generating amessage comprising a healthcare action based on the selected mosteffective modified healthcare regime block, and transmitting the messagevia a distributed network to a patient account associated with thehealthcare user.

In embodiments, an authorized healthcare worker may determine that theproposed initial healthcare regime is dangerous, ineffective, orotherwise unfit for the healthcare user. In such embodiments, the systemis configured to allow the authorized healthcare worker to speciallyflag such critical information, and the system may generate a messageconfigured to automatically display an alert (e.g., a flashing message,an audible tone, or the like) to the authoring healthcare worker. Themessage may further cause an automated system to enter a “safe” mode inview of the critical information (e.g., a prescription medicationfilling system can be automatically instructed to refuse to fill aprescription for a medication that may be dangerous to a patient with agiven profile).

System

Blockchain architectures and methods of maintaining the architecture anddata in a blockchain are known in the art. In embodiments, the systemsdescribed herein comprise a plurality of interconnected nodes (i.e.,networked devices including user devices) such as personal desktopcomputers or the like, each of which or a subset of which accessible byauthorized healthcare workers and authoring healthcare workers. Acentral server may be employed (e.g., for storage of data such as a userdatabase, and/or for carrying out resource-intensive computations), orthe entire system may be distributed without a central server. Thesystem may include an interface and appropriate networkingsoftware/hardware for users to use mobile devices (e.g., cellularphones, tablets, etc.). The system may include software/hardwaresuitable for adding nodes when desired, wherein each time a node isadded, the node is incorporated into the blockchain (e.g., receives acomplete copy of the blockchain from one or more other nodes as well asall of the rules and algorithms associated with the blockchain,including consensus algorithms, etc.).

In embodiments, the systems described herein maintain a database ofhealthcare workers as well as information about each worker—e.g., areaof expertise, experience in various areas, trainings, professionalaccolades and memberships, research activities, affiliations, physicallocation and physical areas serviced, and the like. Each healthcareworker is given an individual database entry, and the database entry caninclude all of the above information as well as a status of thehealthcare worker (e.g., authorized to submit initial healthcareregimes, authorized to submit modified healthcare regimes in all orselected areas, etc.), an address or other contact information, and thelike. The database entry can also include all of the information that isused to determine the experience factor described herein (e.g., thecolleague ratings, etc.). The database may be maintained at a centralserver or, alternatively, also in a distributed manner such as ablockchain architecture. In embodiments, the database of healthcareworkers is maintained as data on the healthcare blockchain and isverifiable by all nodes and users of the blockchain. Similarly, thesystem may include a database of healthcare users (i.e., patients) forwhich healthcare regime blocks have been (or could be) created on theblockchain. Again, the database can be maintained in the healthcareblockchain or in any other suitable matter. In embodiments, such dataincludes medical histories and other information about each healthcareuser.

The system may involve, in embodiments, sensors that provide sensoryinput used by the healthcare worker or used directly by the healthcareblockchain. Such sensors may sense a variety of data includingmedications (e.g., a scanner scanning a barcode), a health status of ahealthcare user (e.g., a measurement of the user's vital signs such astemperature, weight, etc.), an observation of the healthcare user'sphysical or emotional state, or any other data that can be measured by asensor in the context. The sensor data may be automatically captured bythe system or may be manually entered by the healthcare worker. Inembodiments, the sensor data is used by an authoring healthcare workerto generate an initial healthcare regime.

Methods

The methods described herein allow a healthcare worker to propose ahealthcare regime and then optimize that regime via input from otherhealthcare workers using a distributed network.

A sample (simplified) workflow includes the following steps: an initialhealthcare regime is created by an authoring healthcare worker and thesame is sent to the blockchain network to get a consensus secondopinion. Multiple healthcare workers (including some experts in thespecific condition described in the healthcare regime) on the networkpropose various modifications to the medication regime, each of which isdistributed and stored to the blockchain. The consensus resolutionalgorithm is invoked to determine the most appropriate modification,which is then communicated to the authoring healthcare worker in theform of information and/or instructions for taking an action. Subsequentre-planning (i.e., revising the initial healthcare regime) is undertakenby the healthcare worker or automatically by the system.

In embodiments the methods involve receiving a set of healthcare tokensrepresenting the healthcare actions of a healthcare regime, obtaining ahistorical block identifier from a healthcare blockchain, the healthcareblockchain (and the tokens therein) representative of healthcare actionstaken with respect to the healthcare user; calculating a healthcareregime block for the healthcare regime as a function of one or more ofthe following parameters: the set of healthcare tokens, the digitalsignature, and the historical block identifier (or all of these factors,or any combination thereof); and causing the healthcare blockchain to beupdated with the healthcare regime block. The healthcare regime block isthen reviewed by other healthcare workers, one (or multiple) of whichmay submit at least one proposed modified healthcare token, the at leastone proposed modified healthcare token representing at least onemodified proposed healthcare action pertaining to the healthcare regime.The healthcare worker making such a submission (or the device they areusing) submits a digital signature, which is used (along with other datasuch as a preference factor, the token, etc.) to generate a new blockfor the healthcare blockchain. The blockchain is then updated. Thesystem may automatically notify the authoring healthcare worker of theaddition to the blockchain. The system may also receive a plurality ofproposed modified healthcare tokens from a plurality of healthcareworkers, and update the blockchain with each proposal. With such aplurality, the system may apply a consensus algorithm to determine themost appropriate proposed modified healthcare token(s). Such determinedtoken is then communicated to the authoring healthcare worker, and mayfurther cause an automated system to issue a prescription, schedule amedical test, or take some other healthcare action.

In embodiments is a method using a system for optimizing a healthcareregime, the system comprising one or more computers of a plurality ofcomputers coupled to a network, the one or more computers comprising oneor more computer processors coupled to a memory, the memory comprisinginstructions executable by the one or more computer processors to carryout any of the methods disclosed herein. For example, the method mayinvolve storing healthcare regimes and proposed modified healthcareregimes in a blockchain architecture. The computers implementing theblockchain are configured to analyse input from healthcare workers and,when such analysis shows an appropriate set of tokens, generate newblocks for the blockchain. The blockchain is then updated on allcomputers implementing the blockchain. Throughout this disclosure, theterm “chaincode” may be used to refer to the machine-readableinstructions and data implementing the blockchain on the variouscomputers.

In embodiments is a method for maintaining healthcare records, themethod comprising: maintaining a secure chain of healthcare blocks at agiven computing node, wherein the given computing node is part of a setof computing nodes in a distributed network of computing nodes whereineach of the set of computing nodes maintains the secure chain ofhealthcare blocks, wherein the secure chain of healthcare blocksmaintained at each computing node comprises one or more healthcareblocks that respectively represent one or more healthcare actionsassociated with a healthcare user, and wherein at least one of thehealthcare blocks in the secure chain of healthcare blocks represents atleast one healthcare action generated by an authoring healthcare workerassociated with the healthcare user; adding at least one healthcareblock to the secure chain of healthcare blocks maintained at the givencomputing node in response to receiving a proposed modified healthcareaction; determining a preference factor for the proposed modifiedhealthcare action; transmitting a message comprising the preferencefactor and the proposed modified healthcare action to a user accountassociated with the authoring healthcare worker; wherein themaintaining, adding, and determining steps are implemented via at leastone processor operatively coupled to a memory associated with the givencomputing node.

Various embodiments of the invention are described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inventionherein may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth in the drawings;rather, these embodiments are provided to provide further illustrativenon-limiting examples. Arrowheads in the figures are provided merely asexamples of directions for the flow of data but are not exhaustive andare not meant to be limiting—i.e., data may flow (where appropriate) indirections that are not shown by arrowheads in the figures. Similarnumbers in different figures are meant to refer to similar components.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a (partial) schematic for asystem including an interface according to an embodiment of theinvention. User interface 390 is operating on a user device (not shown)as described herein, and allows a healthcare worker to interface withthe system and, specifically, with the application manager 330 beingexecuted on the user device. Application manager 330 manages theactivities of the healthcare blockchain, which is comprised of chaincode360 executing hyperledger fabric 350. Hyperledger fabric 350 is, inturn, comprised of various application programming interfaces (APIs)including, at least, contract API 351, certificates API 352, andblockchain API 353.

With reference to FIG. 2 there is shown a (partial) schematic for anembodiment involving collecting data, processing the data, andtransmitting an output according to an embodiment of the invention.Sensory inputs 210 are generated by sensors (not shown), as describedherein. The sensor data are then transferred to the module Patient State& Medication Plan 220, which allows an authoring healthcare worker togenerate an Initial Medication Plan 10 (also referred to herein as aninitial healthcare regime). The Initial Medication Plan 10 is sent tothe system executing the healthcare blockchain. System layer 300(comprised of Blockchain layer 310 and agent consensus layer 320)receives the Plan 10 and adds it to the blockchain. Confirmation 30 ofthe addition may be sent to Patient Device 120, in embodiments. Otherhealthcare workers (not shown) may propose modifications to Plan 10,which are then stored on the blockchain. The system determines aResolved Medication Plan 20 (also referred to herein as a ConsensusRegime), which is sent to Healthcare Worker Device 110.

With reference to FIG. 3 there is shown a (partial) schematic for anexample system layer and the details of components therein according toan embodiment of the invention. Blockchain layer 310 is comprised of anExpert Selection Engine 311, which uses various factors such as theexperience factor or other factors to pre-select healthcare workers tobe invited to submit proposed modified healthcare regimes/tokens.Blockchain layer 310 also comprises Expert Opinion Collection &Management Engine 312, which is configured to receive proposed modifiedhealthcare regimes/tokens from healthcare workers. Also part of systemlayer 300 is Agent Consensus Layer 320, which comprises VariableHierarchy 321, Search Space Creation module 322, and ResolutionAlgorithm 323, all of which work together to determine a consensusregime from the various inputs from authoring and authorized healthcareworkers.

With reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, there are provided schematics forsample algorithm steps involved in processing a new medication regime,adding transactions to a list of transactions, and creating a newoptimal medication regime according to an embodiment of the invention. Anew medication plan (also referred to herein as an initial healthcareregime) is generated (400) and stored in the blockchain (action notshown), and represented by variable P. Subsequently, a proposed plan(e.g., a proposed modified healthcare regime) that is related to P isgenerated (410), and represented by variable T. The blockchain is achain of transactions and is represented by variable C. Thus, T is added((420), (500), and (600)) to the blockchain (shown as the operation Cunion T, which is then stored in C). The system then broadcasts (430) Tso that it can be added to the blockchain maintained in each node of thesystem. Similarly, another modified proposed regime/plan, represented byT′, can be generated by an authorized healthcare worker, added (540) tothe blockchain, and broadcast (550) to all nodes in the blockchain. Inembodiments, particularly as shown in FIG. 6, a modified and optimalplan, represented by P_(m), can be generated after a threshold (Th) ofproposed plans/tokens T are received. An optimal plan T′ is determined(640), stored in the blockchain (660), and broadcast to the nodes on thesystem (670).

With reference to FIG. 7 there is shown a sample search hierarchyaccording to an embodiment of the invention. The search hierarchy cantake a breadth-first or a depth-first approach, as desired orappropriate. Each level may have a single option or several options, asshown. Patient level 700 shows, for example, a single option Patient S₀.Medication family level 710, in contrast, shows three options ARB, ACE,and CCB, representing different medication family options available toPatient S₀. The consensus algorithm can use tables such as the tableshown in FIG. 7 to, for example, determine aspects of the a preferencefactor for a proposed modified healthcare regime (e.g., by determiningwhether the regime is consistent with known data/information, etc.).

An example architecture is provided in FIG. 8, which shows applicationlayer 800, API layer 810, transport layer 820, and consensus layer 830.Within application layer 800 is an application providing a userinterface, specifically GUI 801, that provides an interface with user850. Application layer 800 then communicates with the host node 811 uponwhich the application is running. Transport layer 820 then usesinfrastructure such as network 821 to communicate between nodesparticipating in the blockchain. The blockchain data comprises aplurality of blocks 831, which reside in the consensus layer 830resident on each node.

Throughout this disclosure, use of the term “server” is meant to includeany computer system containing a processor and memory, and capable ofcontaining or accessing computer instructions suitable for instructingthe processor to carry out any desired steps. The server may be atraditional server, a desktop computer, a laptop, or in some cases andwhere appropriate, a tablet or mobile phone. The server may also be avirtual server, wherein the processor and memory are cloud-based.

The methods and devices described herein include a memory coupled to theprocessor. Herein, the memory is a computer-readable non-transitorystorage medium or media, which may include one or moresemiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs) (such, as forexample, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specificICs (ASICs)), hard disk drives (HDDs), hybrid hard drives (HHDs),optical discs, optical disc drives (ODDs), magneto-optical discs,magneto-optical drives, floppy diskettes, floppy disk drives (FDDs),magnetic tapes, solid-state drives (SSDs), RAM-drives, SECURE DIGITALcards or drives, any other suitable computer-readable non-transitorystorage media, or any suitable combination of two or more of these,where appropriate. A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium maybe volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of volatile andnon-volatile, where appropriate.

Throughout this disclosure, use of the term “or” is inclusive and notexclusive, unless otherwise indicated expressly or by context.Therefore, herein, “A or B” means “A, B, or both,” unless expresslyindicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Moreover, “and”is both joint and several, unless otherwise indicated expressly or bycontext. Therefore, herein, “A and B” means “A and B, jointly orseverally,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwiseby context.

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described inconjunction with examples of specific embodiments thereof, that theforegoing description and the examples that follow are intended toillustrate and not limit the scope of the invention. It will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be madeand equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope ofthe invention, and further that other aspects, advantages andmodifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains. The pertinent parts of all publications mentionedherein are incorporated by reference. All combinations of theembodiments described herein are intended to be part of the invention,as if such combinations had been laboriously set forth in thisdisclosure.

EXAMPLES Example 1

FIGS. 4-6 show an example process involving validator nodes and voternodes. In FIG. 4, given a new medication regime P, a new transaction Tis added to the chain of transactions C. The proposed regimes may beevaluated and/or modified as shown in the figures. In the figures, thefollowing variables are used:

-   -   C=Chain of transactions    -   T=Transaction    -   P=Medication Regime    -   P_(m,i)=Modified Regime by agent i    -   Th=Threshold, minimum number of required voters    -   P′=New Regime    -   T′=New Transaction    -   U=(Union function)

Example 2

In one implementation, agent attributes are assigned and used forrole-based access granted to requests on the blockchain. Thus, eachagent node (e.g., health workers, etc.) is assigned a set of attributes.These, for example, can be arranged as a JSON object (e.g., with binaryand text fields such as: Agent ID; Verified Agent; Human Agent; Diabetesexpertise and performance; Hypertension expertise and performance;etc.). The attributes are used to enable role-based access for agents toa request. Once an agent is given access to the request they can chooseto examine the case notes and provide their expert opinion. In one casethe role-based access is determined through preferences set by therequestor, although the preferences may be set by other users or admin.

Example 3

In an example, an initially proposed regime is shown in the Table below.Several modified medications (Med 1, etc.) for the initially proposedregime are also shown, and for each proposed med, the table providesinput variables about the med. The table also shows, for each proposedmed, the proposing health worker's consensus on the diagnosis. The inputvariables may be weighted by a variety of factors, such as knownstatistical/clinical results of the med against the proposed diagnosis,patient compliance predictions, potential drug interactions, cost, orthe like. The input variables or the proposed modified medicationregimes may also be weighted based on the expertise and experience ofthe health worker responsible for proposing the modified medicationregime.

Diagnosis Family Drug Dose Admin Initially Hypertension ACE Captopril 50mg Oral Proposed Regime Med 1 Agree ACE Captopril 30 mg Oral Med 2 AgreeARB Eprosartan 8 mg Oral Med 3 Disagree ARB Candesartan 12 mg InjectableMed 4 Agree ACE Capoten 30 mg OralFor example, injectable drugs such as Med 3 are less likely to result inpatient compliance and therefore a weighting factor is applied againstMed 3. Also for example, a generic drug such as Capoten may be lessexpensive but otherwise identical compared with the brand name drugCaptopril, and so may receive a positive weighting factor in thecalculations for determining a modified medication regime. Also forexample, the drug family may be ranked as highly important or of primaryimportance and therefore given the highest weight. In an example method,the algorithm for determining a modified regime involves minimizing acost function involving the number of agents (doctors, guidelines,etc.), a distance function, and a penalty function, wherein the distancefunction is determined for each medical worker and their proposed regimerelative to the initially proposed regime, and wherein the penaltyfunction is determined based on a hierarchy of factors in the regime.

Example 4

FIG. 7 shows a search space for a proposed regime, including differentvariables for a medication, dosages, etc. The system/method can employan algorithm involving a depth first or a breadth first search, asdesired. The system/method can control the search and computation, forexample, by searching for consensus on one or a few most importantvariable(s), and test for convergence i.e. restrict search depth byhierarchy.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of optimizing a healthcare regime, themethod comprising: receiving, by a first user device, a healthcareregime comprising a set of healthcare tokens representative of a set ofproposed healthcare actions pertaining to a healthcare user, theproposed healthcare actions proposed by an authoring healthcare worker;obtaining, by the first user device, a digital signature of theauthoring healthcare worker; obtaining, by the first user device, ahistorical block identifier from a healthcare blockchain, the healthcareblockchain representative of healthcare actions taken with respect tothe healthcare user, wherein the first user device is one of a pluralityof networked devices, each device in the plurality of networked devicesmaintaining an identical copy of the healthcare blockchain; calculating,by the first user device, a healthcare regime block for the healthcareregime as a function of one or more of the following parameters: the setof healthcare tokens, the digital signature, and the historical blockidentifier; causing the healthcare blockchain to be updated with thehealthcare regime block; receiving, by an user device selected from thefirst user device and a second user device, at least one proposedmodified healthcare token, the at least one proposed modified healthcaretoken representing at least one modified proposed healthcare actionpertaining to the healthcare regime; obtaining, by the user device, adigital signature of an authorized healthcare worker responsible for theat least one proposed modified healthcare action; determining apreference factor for the at least one proposed modified healthcareaction; calculating, by the user device, a modified healthcare regimeblock for the healthcare regime as a function of one or more of thefollowing parameters: the at least one proposed modified healthcaretoken, the digital signature of the authorized healthcare worker, andthe preference factor; causing the healthcare blockchain to be updatedwith the modified healthcare regime block; and automatically generatinga message comprising a healthcare action based on the healthcareblockchain, and transmitting the message via a distributed network to auser account associated with the authoring healthcare worker, whereinthe message alters a user interface to display the healthcare action. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein causing the healthcare blockchain to beupdated with the healthcare regime block comprises transmitting via adistributed network the healthcare regime block to the plurality ofnetworked devices.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprisingreceiving a plurality of proposed modified healthcare tokens, theplurality of proposed modified healthcare tokens representing aplurality of modified proposed healthcare actions pertaining to thehealthcare regime.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprisingreceiving a plurality of proposed modified healthcare tokens, theplurality of proposed modified healthcare tokens representing aplurality of modified proposed healthcare actions pertaining to thehealthcare regime; calculating a plurality of modified healthcare regimeblocks for the healthcare regime, one modified healthcare regime blockfor each of the plurality of proposed modified healthcare tokensreceived; and causing the healthcare blockchain to be updated with theplurality of modified healthcare regime blocks.
 5. The method of claim4, further comprising applying a consensus algorithm to select a mosteffective modified healthcare regime block from the plurality ofmodified healthcare regime blocks.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising automatically generating a message comprising a prescriptionfor a medication, the medication based on the selected most effectivemodified healthcare regime block, and transmitting the message to a useraccount associated with the authoring healthcare worker for approval bythe authoring healthcare worker, wherein approval by the authoringhealthcare worker automatically transmits the prescription to aprescription filling system.
 7. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising automatically generating a message comprising a healthcareaction based on the selected most effective modified healthcare regimeblock, and transmitting the message via a distributed network to apatient account associated with the healthcare user.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising obtaining a consensus token indicative of anoptimization of the healthcare actions and based on the set ofhealthcare tokens.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the preferencefactor comprises an experience factor, the experience factor calculatedas a function of at least one of the following parameters: an experienceof the authorized healthcare worker, an area of expertise of theauthorized healthcare worker, and a success rate of the authorizedhealthcare worker.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the preferencefactor comprises a compliance factor calculated from aggregatedhistorical patient compliance data pertaining to the at least oneproposed modified healthcare action.
 11. The method of claim 1, whereinthe preference factor comprises aggregated historical patient efficacydata pertaining to the at least one proposed modified healthcare action.12. The method of claim 1, wherein the healthcare blockchain furthercomprises a public key associated with the authoring healthcare worker,the public key operative to enable each device in the plurality ofnetworked devices to check the authenticity of the healthcare regimeblock.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the healthcare blockchainfurther comprises a public key associated with the authorized healthcareworker, the public key operative to enable each device in the pluralityof networked devices to check the authenticity of the modifiedhealthcare regime block.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein causing thehealthcare blockchain to be updated with the healthcare regime blockcomprises transmitting via a distributed network the healthcare regimeblock to the plurality of networked devices, and wherein the pluralityof networked devices are suitable for use by a plurality of authorizedhealthcare workers.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the generatedmessage comprising a healthcare action is automatically transmitted tothe user account associated with the authoring healthcare worker upongeneration of a threshold of modified healthcare regime blocks withinthe healthcare blockchain.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein thealtering of a user interface to display the healthcare action occursautomatically when a user device associated with the authoringhealthcare worker receives the generated message comprising a healthcareaction, and wherein the altering includes one or more actionsautomatically implemented, the one or more actions selected from:display of a visual alert in a GUI; production of an audible alert;modification of a screen view in a GUI; modification of a menu in a GUI;and modification of text in a healthcare user file.
 17. A method formaintaining healthcare records, the method comprising: maintaining asecure chain of healthcare blocks at a given computing node, wherein thegiven computing node is part of a set of computing nodes in adistributed network of computing nodes wherein each of the set ofcomputing nodes maintains the secure chain of healthcare blocks, whereinthe secure chain of healthcare blocks maintained at each computing nodecomprises one or more healthcare blocks that respectively represent oneor more healthcare actions associated with a healthcare user, andwherein at least one of the healthcare blocks in the secure chain ofhealthcare blocks represents at least one healthcare action generated byan authoring healthcare worker associated with the healthcare user;adding at least one healthcare block to the secure chain of healthcareblocks maintained at the given computing node in response to receiving aproposed modified healthcare action; determining a preference factor forthe proposed modified healthcare action; transmitting a messagecomprising the preference factor and the proposed modified healthcareaction to a user account associated with the authoring healthcareworker; wherein the maintaining, adding, and determining steps areimplemented via at least one processor operatively coupled to a memoryassociated with the given computing node.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the message is configured to alter a user interface toautomatically display the proposed modified healthcare action.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the proposed modified healthcare action isreceived from an authorized healthcare worker, and wherein thepreference factor is determined based at least on the followingparameters: an experience of the authorized healthcare worker, an areaof expertise of the authorized healthcare worker, and a success rate ofthe authorized healthcare worker.